My Plastic-free Life - Topic: Plastic-free irrigation system?http://myplasticfreelife.com/forum/plastic-free-alternatives/plastic-free-irrigation-system/
Simple:Press Version 5.7.2Dana on Plastic-free irrigation system?http://myplasticfreelife.com/forum/plastic-free-alternatives/plastic-free-irrigation-system/#p1229
Plastic-free Alternativeshttp://myplasticfreelife.com/forum/plastic-free-alternatives/plastic-free-irrigation-system/#p1229I asked a woman who runs an organic farm if she is concerned about plastic drip irrigation, and she made the point that water comes through pipes and/or plastic fittings/tubes along the way to your home/farm. I'm guessing you don't filter your water outside. I think it just comes down to picking your battles.
]]>Fri, 31 May 2013 17:52:14 -0700S.Assilem on Plastic-free irrigation system?http://myplasticfreelife.com/forum/plastic-free-alternatives/plastic-free-irrigation-system/#p1220
Plastic-free Alternativeshttp://myplasticfreelife.com/forum/plastic-free-alternatives/plastic-free-irrigation-system/#p1220Well, depending on the size of the garden etc, you could first set up your faucet right next to your garden (use pipes to get it there), if it is very large lead the pipes do your faucet is in the middle of the garden or have several. You could set up some sort of system where the water runs along a series of pipes with holes drilled in them. You could cover the pipes (and your garden) with mulch. You could use halved bamboo or some metal. Oh, I bet a metal gutter with holes would work. Think if the system that was used in the Swiss family Robinson movie. Or, flood the trenches between the rows of veggies OR, go to Pennsylvania and ask the Amish what they do.

You can find wooden rain barrels. We had one. I bet there is a metal container out there you could use. Or create.

]]>Tue, 28 May 2013 14:22:22 -0700Beth Terry on Plastic-free irrigation system?http://myplasticfreelife.com/forum/plastic-free-alternatives/plastic-free-irrigation-system/#p1219
Plastic-free Alternativeshttp://myplasticfreelife.com/forum/plastic-free-alternatives/plastic-free-irrigation-system/#p1219I wish I had a solution for you. Maybe someone else will chime in. When I created my plastic-free garden, it was small, so I just used a metal watering can and a metal pitcher. /2011/07/gardening-without-plastic-part-3-mulching-and-watering/

But I'm guessing this will not work for a large garden. Anyone have suggestions?

Does anybody have a good system for irrigating a large garden without using plastic? I don't know how it happened, since I use almost no plastic in my day to day life, but somehow I got talked into buying soaker hoses for irrigating my veggie garden. The idea is a good one - conserve water by burying hoses that slowly seep water directly into the soil under your plants...

But I smartened up when I got home and read the (cardboard!) packaging more thoroughly. They're made out of recycled tires...so they're as toxic as you can get in terms of type of plastic. (They smell toxic too.) They also come with carcinogen and reproductive health warnings, though those are conveniently out of sight until you open the package.

I don't want those chemicals in my veggies. So does anybody have a plastic-free system that works for them? We've been watering with a hose, but we'd like to do something that conserves water and time. Also, the hose is, of course, plastic too. And if we were to get a rain barrel...also plastic...